Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-05
SHOULD PHrSyCTINS IDTERTISE IN
NEUSPfPER

NEUSPiPERS?
When this question is made a matter of
discussion ii is very proper that newspapers
saould take hand in the conflict 4 bill
i now before the House. having passed
the Senate. called taft-r its author the
Sinnett bill, the provisions of which are de-
signed to prevent medical specialists from
advertising in newspapers. Of this bill the
Dayton JournGl remarks that the general
public are not able to comprehend why ad-
vertsing should affect the character Of any
physician who graduates from any medical
college, and is able Ia acquire recognition
OF his abilities" The Joarnul further
says:
In this free country. there Is a grave in
consistency in leg>lating against any school
of medicine in favor of another, or of eX-
Guiding from the honors of the profession
men of ability VINO enjoy knowledge of
special things in medical practice. To eX-
clude doctors who advertise is especially
absurd. 1t does not by any means follow
that doctor is duack because he adver
tl>eS and acquires reputation outside of
the regular faculty prescription. The
quackery. like everything else. is a matter
of experiment and demonstration. All
doctors, Of all schools, should enjoy equal
rights before the law.
We are as much opposed TO quacks as
anybody can be. We say-kill them of.
Root them out. But all specialists who
advertise IN newspapers are not quacks and
il would be- unjust 10 treat all as such.
We would be glad to have all physicians,
who understand their business and are
capable of healing. advertise with us; for
we would like the money they would pay
Us. and the people ought 10 know who
among them can be reasonably expected to
cure them. Some of our physicians are
eminent in some lines. and Others eminent
in other lines. What professional or other
style of improperly can there be in in
forming the people aS 10 the kinds of work
certain physicians feel assured that they can
do to advantage?
OF the Sinnett bill the Ohio State Journal
saws:
DiveSted of all lis verbiage, it is simply
bill to punish physicians who, having
cracked the old shell of traditional eth
les, have the enterprise 10 advertise their
business through the newspapers in a legiti
mate and straightforward manner and pay
for il. There does
not on the surface appear TO be any good
reason why physician who Is regularly
graduated at a reputable medical school.
aud who has pushed his study and practice
along certain line until he has become an
expert should not make the fact known to
the public and increase his business and
profits, as he has perfect legal and moral
right TO do. Wherein does it differ from
the same course pursued by a dry-goOds
merchant who has a special line 10 which
he desires to attract attention?
The members of the city council need not
hustle themselves in the direction of
changing the names and numbers of our
streets. We think the people could live OF.
for a century or two without suffering to
any apprecable extent if there should be
no change at all. except in the opening
of new streets in the suburbs. The names
of the streets on which We have lived IN our
homes for years have pleasant and time
d>NoNldli'llN. anu Ntl tl
our citizens would be sorry to have other
names substituted for them. Then, as a
general thing. the streets are properly
named. Ii is quite true that there is no
factory on Factory street and never was.
bat there are plenty of mechanics living on
Mechanic street. and at least a portion of
High street Is really high-in the highest
portion of the city-and Market street
passes through the market space. Old
Columbia was the original business street
and the people who live on that street would
be sorry to be forced to call it by any other
name.
The COngrGgdti0nGtist says that ''one of
the most imperial members of the genera
ton of statesmen now nearly passed from
the stage, on being asked what the greatest
thought is which can enter "A human mind,
is said TO have replied: The thought of
ones obligation TO God is the greatest
which can enter the mind of any man."
Riddleberger complains that he is poor
He is a mighty poor senator.